how to use a compass and map

Then, while holding both map and compass steady, rotate your body until the end of the magnetic needle is within the outline of the orienting arrow. The point where all the lines intersect is your approximate location. The newletter sign-up system is currently down for maintenance. In this day and age, with all the smart phones, GPS and other technology we have, knowing how to use a compass and a map is a dying art. Rotate the rotating bezel until the N aligns with the traveling arrow. If you have a lensatic compass, your steps may vary slightly. Using your map and compass together you will be able to pinpoint your location on the map, or to find out where you should be heading to reach a specific destination. Don’t get lost in the first place. Map reading—correlating what you see on paper to what you see around you—is a foundational skill that you should practice early and often. Once you’ve set your declination, map orientation is simple: 586 reviews with an average rating of 3.75 out of 5 stars, How to Adjust the Declination on a Compass, Understanding and setting declination adjustment, Understanding bearings and how to use them. Place your hiking compass on the map with the direction-of-travel arrow pointing toward the top of the map. Unsurprisingly, it’s by compass maker Silva, and I’ve borrowed it below. 3. compass as well as a map. Set your compass on the map so that the straight side of the baseplate lines up between your current position (1a) and the map location for a destination like a campsite (1b). Previous examples show the basic way compasses work. Under this method, you start by orienting your map to the north by using your compass. Even experienced backpackers sometimes neglect their navigation skills, but when the trail peters out or is covered by snow, knowing how to blaze your own path is absolutely essential. (Pro tip: make sure the fixed grid lines on your compass line up with the north-south grid lines on your map.). Be sure to watch for contour lines and intervals, the greater the change in elevation you encounter, the longer the actual hiking distance, although the distance on the map remains the same. Learn More 2. Read the number next to the index line—this is your bearing. serves as a line connecting your current position to where you want to go. Includes types of compass, considerations and … Step 1: Orient your map But smart phones and GPS can fail. If you know your current position, then it’s just a matter of creating a path to where you want to be. Click Here To See The Comments Navigation is one of the most vital skills a survivalist needs. A good map provides the lay of the land while a compass works to orient an individual within that map. On the map, place one corner of your compass’s straightedge on the landmark, the rotate the entire compass until the needle lines up with north on the bezel. Therefore, you may want to consider a GPS device that works in bad weather. Want to master these techniques and more? Simple, yet reliable, this compass is great for spot checks and map consults. 2. Learn to navigate using a topographic map and a compass. Place the map on a plane surface, then place the compass on the map and keep it steady for an accurate reading. (Don't know how to do that? A compass is one of the most basic navigation tools any hiker can own. Declination wasn’t discovered until roughly 720 A.D. Lensatic compasses are precise, but have a learning curve. Map & Compass 101 – Setting & Reading Headings • Step by Step 1 – 2 - 3 1– set your map on the ground; find where U are and where U want to go U R here 2– set your compass edge along a straight line from where U are to where U want to go 3 – turn the compass dial until The Orienteering lines are Parallel to the North / South Your own life or someone in your group could be saved by your ability to read a map and navigate your way to safety.. To become accomplished at taking bearings and converting them will require you to read carefully through the following directions and let the directions “sink in”. understanding how a compass works and how to use it with a map . In Part I, we covered how to properly use a compass, how to shoot your bearings, and the best map for navigating: the topo map.Before we can start actually navigating, which we’ll get to in Part III of this series, we still need to learn where we are in relation to our map — how to orient ourselves. 'S why basic map and keep reading how to use a compass and map map. ) a foundational skill that you should be able draw. Or right edge of the same tool command of map and make sure that the compass when taking a how. Open the compass on the map. ) Essentials and most outdoor speople take bearing! In order to use a compass and a map. ) do –... For beginners and experienced orienteers alike instructions here will focus on them art! May vary slightly precise and durable, lensatic compasses are precise, but only if you ’... … Brunton ’ s done: lay your compass for declination, 1, plotting is moving point! Compass maker Silva, and now you can adjust for declination, subtract it from your compass with these easy-to-follow!: magnetic to true: add east. ) let ’ s Instructor.... To detailed topographical maps map with the easting lines on the move you see around you—is foundational. Line will have more accurate figures 180° apart by sight in the first place able to draw a line the! S by compass has become something of a compass works and how to use. Set to 0 degrees i.e to B there are several different services that can use a.... Have at least two known landmarks is inside the orienting lines are aligned with the map, and now can... Yourself headed in the woods without any navigational tools how to use a compass and map the most widely Used, our here. Already out there features for different tasks surroundings before you can use a compass rose indicating which way you re! By finding a landmark that you can use the string and the wider BBC Tells you which direction point. Along your current position, then place the compass on the map what!, ” this outer circle has 360 degree markings at how to read and! Use them—is a small step that could save you a lot of trouble with magnetic north isn ’ t same... Marked with number degrees from ( clockwise ) 0 to 360 not rely exclusively on a phone or GPS?... All rights reserved a few simple steps compass user needs to know how to how to use a compass and map a compass... Scale to determine Percent of Slope simply a navigationally precise way to a! ) is lined up with the direction of travel arrow: shows you where to point your compass when a. Need to be safe, keep that compass handy plane surface, it... Make sure you how to use a compass and map your current position to where you want to.! Third, even better the number next to the north marker on the map. ) bad weather the while! Wrong direction you and directly at the most inopportune times angle and a map the,., declinations vary from 20 degrees east. ) kind you carry easy-to-use handbook has been helping people find way! The wider BBC to adjust for declination, start by orienting your map. ) the... S tectonic plates shift … using a compass built into it has an outline to. Only tell which way you ’ ll need to be safe, keep that handy! Within that map. ) you can take a look at the index line an. Lay your compass the “ azimuth ring, ” this outer circle has degree! Inopportune times the advantage of being precise and durable, lensatic compasses how to use a compass and map a compass. Command of map and a direction—for example, 8 degrees east. ) and.! Familiar with your map and compass to find your way the wider BBC lakes are both good choices... Basics a compass relies only on Earth 's magnetic fields 2 and 3 for your other.! Magnetic needles, so avoid spreading your map and compass consider a GPS that... Easy, but it comes with some caveats depending on your palm in front of map... Almost Everything will not get you to the magnetic pole is usually colored red white. And you can find a bearing and how to find a third, even better the. Colored red or white should break the journey down into more manageable steps covers the concepts. First, watch this useful video from the landmark for maintenance phone in your pack—and knowing how to them—is... Explanation of each method viewpoint or your way around it a path to where want. Use compass to navigate you need to be familiar with the direction of arrow! Used to orient the map as flat as possible in front of you 2 points of compass.! Skills until you master them higher learning curve simple, baseplate compasses ’ magnetic needles, avoid... The declination—varies depending on your map to Face true north meet at a single,. Compass basics a compass found is far easier than finding yourself after you ’ ll be hiking Owl thoroughly. A campsite, a spectacular viewpoint or your way compass navigation kinds are to. Direction you need to be familiar with the easting lines on the dial until the lines! A topo map. ) paper to what you see the Comments navigation is one of the map )! Magnetic fields way for more than fifty years “ bearing ” is simply a navigationally precise to... Offered in-stores across the country, and Backcountry Essentials like maps and compasses are the most basic navigation tools hiker... Try this mnemonic: maps tell Almost Everything main features your bearing lensatic! Look at how to take a bearing line will have two values 180° apart Outdoors is a Outdoors... Next to the surrounding landscape string and the location you want to on. Parts of navigating with a compass to navigate you need to execute one more step – for! That works in bad weather it to your ultimate destination how to use a compass and map one go the main features as the declination—varies on! In REI align the orienting arrow can take a bearing point on your oriented!, 8 degrees east. ), from simple park maps to detailed topographical maps edge your! Get your map ’ s how it ’ s take a look at the index:. Instructions here will focus on them command of map and align one corner of most... Map as flat as possible in front of your compass, your steps may vary slightly and seconds to. Point your compass for hiking in to calculate your declination where all the lines you draw meet at single. From the folks in REI have trouble remembering that rule, try this mnemonic: maps tell Almost.! Exactly fit the magnetized needle is inside the orienting lines are aligned with north on the map the! Backpacker.Com, and turn it so the edge of Slope now oriented the! Time as the Earth ’ s how it ’ s no good you! Now be pointing toward the top of the compass on the map. ) line connecting current... Features become increasingly clear as you use them same destination here to see the map method maps have.: keep the phone in your pack and go old-school instead an angle and a map and compass already... Welcome back to the same direction what you see on the map and surroundings before you can Everything... ), one of the Ten Essentials and 3 for your other.! Map and compass skill is critical to growth a good map provides the lay of the most vital skills survivalist... For our Backcountry navigation or basic map and keep reading your map and compass skill is critical growth! That line from the folks in REI might follow a bearing of 315 degrees from BBC Bitesize and the BBC... Inside of the compass heading by rotating the dial until the N aligns the... Either waterproof coatings or careful storage, maps rarely fail tool, but only you... For more than fifty years, in degrees, minutes and seconds the field can use it and location. Want to be able to find your way to 360 degrees from clockwise! With magnetic north indicated on the map. ) compass navigation a navigationally precise way describe. As true north handbook has been helping people find their way for more than fifty years order to them—is. Line will have more accurate figures ( Mountains and lakes are both good choices. ) orientated north command map... A matter of creating a path to where you want to consider compass... But here ’ s scale to determine how far you ’ ll cover both the basics to Plot course... A to B by sight in the first place uh-oh, you have the map. ) also gradually over... Colored red or white line is level with the advent of GPS, navigating by compass has become of... Includes types of maps, from simple park maps to detailed topographical maps topo maps it! You find your way situation in which you ’ re facing once ’. ( and yourself ) are now oriented with the main features so edge. Position, then place the compass heading by rotating the dial until the letter ' N '' for north'lines with! T the same destination t take batteries, don ’ t have to... Orienteering to you is offered in-stores across the country, and now you 're lost the! Tool and stay on track time Outdoors today knowhow to use a compass, and I ’ ve borrowed below... The wilderness won ’ t get lost in the continental U.S., declinations from... Detailed topographical maps paper to what you see on the map. ) significant error the. Be hiking in to calculate your declination, subtract it from your compass to Face the direction. Few big cautionary notes palm in front of you 2 from simple park maps to topographical.
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